Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast are two of essentially the most lovely locations to go to in Italy. You have finished exceptionally nicely in the event you’ve narrowed your selections to those locations. The Cinque Terre cities are famously pastel-colored mini-destinations that spill over rocky outcroppings to small harbors. You can discover Cinque Terre as a day tour by boat, crusing up the whole part of the coast, or you possibly can base your self for a couple of days in your city of selection. The Amalfi Coast will also be tackled as a day tour however is barely higher suited to longer stays – with loads of luxurious resorts and lodging choices.
We have visited each and regardless of each being lovely locations in their very own proper, there are some important variations between the Cinque Terre and the Amalfi coasts. This information, which relies on our visits to the area, will let you know all you must know earlier than making that all-important remaining determination.
Why Visit Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast
If you don’t have time to learn this complete article, we needed to provide you a fast overview of why it’s best to select Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast. In a perfect world, you’d study all the guidelines, tips, and important info, however this part is for these in a rush.
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is a straightforward place to go to, but it surely requires a bit extra effort. Set in northern Italy, it’s a possible weekend detour from Pisa or Milan. You can take a ship tour alongside the Cinque Terre cities (that are a lot simpler to entry by way of water), catch the prepare, or drive round Cinque Terre.
Although, be warned, anticipate landslide warnings and hairpin turns. These cities are positioned on the base of steep cliffs, dramatically sitting on jagged rocks and spreading higgledy-piggledy on angles round their harbors. We don’t actually advocate driving round Cinque Terre. There is subsequent to no parking, the streets are slim and it may be a hair-raising expertise. You are higher off taking the prepare or boat. If it’s essential to drive you possibly can park on the entrance of the villages however should stroll from there. There are some good climbing alternatives, scrumptious seafood, and the aesthetic of pastel-colored homes in dramatic, rugged settings.
Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is way simpler to go to, with extremely accessible cities dotted alongside its shoreline. You also can prepare to go to by ferry. The Amalfi Coast is positioned in southern Italy, an affordable 1.5-hour drive from Naples and a straightforward day-tripping distance of Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii. It is greatest suited to these renting a automobile who wish to benefit from a lot of close by day journeys or who wish to keep in a resort and e book guided day excursions.
The shoreline itself is actually lush and full of lovely seashores with a lot of glitzy vacationer infrastructure. Instead of a ragged aesthetic, the Amalfi Coast is massively related to film stars and wealth. You’ll see loads of glossy lodging choices and luxurious journey alternatives. If you might be driving (like we did) simply bear in mind that the roads alongside the coast are slim and there may be often a whole lot of visitors together with busses. This will be nerve-racking for some so simply be ready.
The Main Difference Between Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast
Now that you just perceive why it’s best to select the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, let’s dive deeper into our comparability. We love each of them, albeit for various causes. The Amalfi Coast has that old-money, classic automobile, glitzy seashore aesthetic, whereas Cinque Terre has a extra rugged draw. The distinction in their ‘personalities’ is the primary distinction between the 2 locations, particularly because the ‘personalities’ most dramatically affect your expertise when visiting. Let’s see how they weigh up in opposition to one another.
Cinque Terre
For essentially the most half, Cinque Terre is all about rocky outcroppings, climbing, and boat excursions. While it will get lovely and sunny, it may be fairly dramatic on an overcast day – doused in thick fog and low-lying clouds if you attain the mountains. There are good climbing trails to get views of the cities from above, or you possibly can take one of many ‘five villages’ boat excursions. Cinque Terre is supposed to be an journey, and its ‘personality’ may be very a lot its unlikely rocky surroundings.
The distinction between the coloured homes and the jagged rock is beautiful. And the prepare line between the cities is tremendous helpful, permitting you to hop between city after city to attempt scrumptious seafood and snap photographs. Remember, if you’re after a seashore vacation, the one actual seashore is Fegina Beach; most others are all rocks. Cinque Terre’s rocky format means it isn’t your traditional seashore vacation spot.
Amalfi Coast
Regarding this area’s character, go to the Amalfi Coast in order for you luxurious accommodations or resorts. It is way flashier, with resort city after resort city frequented by A-listers and old-school film stars. If you need an Italian trip that channels the la dolce vita, the gorgeous sandy seashores, and ornate terraces alongside the Amalfi Coast match the invoice. This area gives far more of a seashore vacation expertise, with a swanky fashion of character and a extra spacious format.
Whether you select the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, you possibly can clearly see the areas’ character variations. The two supply utterly totally different packages, so take note of the expertise each can provide you.
Best Tours in Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre have an unimaginable choice of excursions that you would be able to select to expertise the areas in a guided capability. Organized excursions have many advantages: they permit a much less hectic expertise, you don’t have to fret about transport, they usually allow you to match extra right into a smaller area. If you don’t have time to browse the choices, take a look at these prime three for the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre Tours
There are implausible alternatives to discover Cinque Terre by kayak. As the area is greatest seen from water, we’d extremely advocate this as an adventurous and lively technique to immerse your self in Cinque Terre and its surroundings. This tour is a superb instance.
Cinque Terre isn’t simply seafood; the wine tasting is equally good. The area has some scrumptious wine to pattern, and arranged excursions have a tendency to incorporate transport.
You ought to undoubtedly e book a cooking class when visiting Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre is understood for its tasty delicacies, particularly with seafood and pasta dishes. You can e book an enormous vary of courses.
Amalfi Coast Tours
Guided Path of the Gods hike
The Path of the Gods is essentially the most well-known hike on the Amalfi Coast. The path runs for five miles and covers historical mule routes, which initially related totally different villages. You can hike this independently, however for a better expertise, a guided tour is the way in which ahead. It takes round three to 4 hours to finish a method.
Like Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast is fabulous for boat day journeys. Experiences like this tour take you alongside the shoreline for a day, supplying you with attractive views and possibilities to swim in the ocean – often with meals and drinks supplied onboard. This is a wonderful technique to maximize your expertise of the shoreline, even in the event you simply base your self in Amalfi city.
Classes like this cooking class are a superb technique to embrace the Amalfi Coast and the meals tradition in Italy. Who doesn’t love Italian meals? To discover ways to make dishes like tiramisu and recent pasta, cooking courses are implausible.
Where Is the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre – and How Do You Get There?
So, the place precisely is the Amalfi Coast? And the place is Cinque Terre? When it involves deciding between Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast, it helps to have the ability to pinpoint them for a number of causes. Do you have already got flights booked? Or are you seeking to mix them with a significant metropolis, like Rome or Venice? Here’s what you must know.
Where is Cinque Terre?
Cinque Terre is a area of 5 small cities (generally referred to as villages) related by a prepare line and a number of working harbors. It is positioned in northern Italy on the northwest shoreline simply beneath Genoa. It can also be located throughout the Cinque Terre National Park. When it involves setting, it’s fairly rural. And whilst you can simply entry it by prepare, be ready to commute from a significant metropolis like Genoa or Pisa – additional south.
So, how do you get to the Cinque Terre villages from Genoa? Easy. Genoa is a large transportation hub with many worldwide flights. Genoa is the capital of the Liguria area, and you may simply leap on a high-speed prepare to achieve Monterosso al Mare, the primary city on the Cinque Terre coast. This takes over an hour; if you want, you possibly can proceed combining totally different cities in one journey. You’ll have a beautiful time navigating Cinque Terre by prepare, and you may merely verify the schedule on Google Maps earlier than reserving tickets on-line.
Where is The Amalfi Coast?
In distinction, the Amalfi Coast is in southern Italy and has glitzy resort cities with lovely seashores. The shoreline is positioned on the southwest coast of Italy. It runs roughly between Positano and Salerno, an space coated in seashores and low-lying mountains. It is only a 1.5-hour drive from Naples, one of the best place to fly into if touring straight to the Amalfi Coast. It might be helpful in the event you get a rental automobile, as Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius are only a quick drive away.
So, how do you get to the Amalfi Coast from Naples? That’s nonetheless a straightforward reply. The greatest technique to attain the Amalfi Coast from Naples is by renting a automobile. The Campania area is beautiful to drive round. If you might be assured on massive roads, you received’t have any points driving to Amalfi after you fly into Naples. As talked about above, it takes simply 1.5 hours to drive from Naples to the Amalfi Coast – however you possibly can simply spend a full day detouring to Pompeii. If you aren’t comfy driving in Italy, you possibly can e book a switch or take public transport. By public transport, it takes round 2 hours by bus to achieve Positano, the primary city on the Amalfi Coast.
To summarize, Cinque Terre is positioned on the northwest coast of Italy. In distinction, the Amalfi Coast is positioned in the southwest. The Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre are inside straightforward distance of a significant metropolis and worldwide flight hub. So, in the case of transport, which is less complicated to get to – the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre? And how do these locations match into a bigger Italian itinerary?
We’d say that Cinque Terre is best to achieve if you’re utilizing public transport, as its prepare line is implausible and serves nearly each village on the shoreline. However, in the event you lease a automobile, the Amalfi Coast is the best, because the roads are simpler to navigate and there are extra driveable day journeys. When selecting Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre based mostly on location and methods to get there, we’d take into account how assured you might be driving in Italy as an influential issue.
Things to Do in Cinque Terre vs the Amalfi Coast
Things to do are at all times useful when selecting between two locations. When it comes to selecting between the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, it’s best to undoubtedly issue in what every vacation spot gives in phrases of an itinerary. It is value noting that each areas supply totally different day journeys, too, such because the Amalfi Coast providing higher entry to the ruins of Pompeii. In distinction, Cinque Terre gives entry to Pisa. These are the highest points of interest for each locations.
Things to do in Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre’s greatest issues to do are its lovely hikes, which traverse dramatic clifftops and historical tracks. Cinque Terre is good for a lot of issues, although, and these are only a choose handful of the highest points of interest and actions you possibly can take pleasure in:
Things to do in the Amalfi Coast
It goes with out saying that there are a whole bunch of wonderful issues to do on the Amalfi Coast. The coast could be recognized for seashore days, however it’s also fabulous for day journeys, with entry to Capri, Naples, and past. These are the highest actions and points of interest to your itinerary:
How Much Time Do You Need In Each one
How a lot time do you want in the Amalfi Coast vs Cinque Terre? It is a difficult query, however what helps is that the reply is comparable.
You can take a day journey to the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre – you possibly can shortly dip your toes in and briefly expertise both of those locations. Cinque Terre is barely extra suited to this, because it is a bit more compact. The Amalfi Coast is often mixed with Pompeii and Vesuvius, whereas Cinque Terre is handled as a standalone attraction. As a common rule, although, you could possibly go to both the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre in a day in the event you actually needed.
However, the perfect period of time is 3-4 days at a minimal for each the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre. This is as a result of the Amalfi Coast is ideal for stress-free and having seashore days, but in addition superb for at the very least sooner or later journey to see the archaeology at Pompeii or perhaps a day journey to Capri. With Cinque Terre, 3-4 days is ideal as a result of it lets you take pleasure in all of the climbing trails and expertise the cities when the day trippers depart.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation is extensively comparable throughout Italy, with visitor homes as the most well-liked type of price range lodging, mid-range accommodations, and a few high-end luxurious lodging choices. However, there are a couple of variations between Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast. The Amalfi Coast is far more luxurious and has extra of a resort vibe, whereas Cinque Terre is extra of an intimate vacation spot in Italy. Expect extra family-run companies and impartial accommodations and lodging in Cinque Terre.
Let’s take a look at the highest lodging selections for every price range degree in Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast. Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre? Which area has lodging that most closely fits you?
Cinque Terre Accommodations
Budget: Ostello Corniglia
This hostel is true in the center of Corniglia, only a 15-minute stroll from the prepare station. It is hassle-free and gives a mixture of mixed-gender, single-sex, and personal rooms. You additionally get a communal kitchen and eating space.
Mid-range: Pensione Sorriso
This 2-star resort is located in the gorgeous city of Vernazza, only a quick stroll from the prepare station. For an affordable value of round $120 an evening, you get a mixture of double and single rooms, plus a every day Italian breakfast.
Luxury: Hotel Porto Roca
This 4-star resort is a stupendous luxurious spot with none stiff-lipped qualities. The ‘homey’ resort has a surprising outside pool with a sizzling tub – each of which have beautiful views over the ocean. It is in the traditional Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre’s predominant city.
Amalfi Coast Accommodations
Budget: La Cascina Camere – Bed & Breakfast
This low cost and cheerful mattress & breakfast choice is massively budget-friendly regarding the Amalfi Coast’s ordinary charges. It has free parking and a every day included Italian breakfast. So if you’re renting a automobile, it’s nicely value reserving.
Mid-range: Locanda Costa Diva – Praiano
This beautiful 3-star resort was as soon as a standard farmhouse and now serves as a reasonably little resort with an adjoining restaurant that overlooks the ocean. You can take pleasure in villa-style aesthetics, with choices to e book sea-view rooms.
Luxury: Casa Angelina
Casa Angelina is massively competitively priced in comparison with different luxurious accommodations on the Amalfi Coast, which frequently checklist as excessive as $2,000 an evening for normal rooms. Instead, for round half the value, this elegant, stylish resort gives easy accessibility to a seashore by way of an elevator. Plus, there may be an indoor pool, gymnasium, spa, and every day breakfast buffet. Select rooms have ocean-view terraces.
Best Time to Visit Cinque Terre vs the Amalfi Coast
We are nice lovers of shoulder seasons – it’s no secret. As a common rule throughout the board in Italy, avoiding the summer season excessive season is a good suggestion. During the excessive season, you’ll discover the costliest costs, packed points of interest, and, fairly frankly, essentially the most hectic expertise of each locations. Picking a shoulder season like April to early June or late September to early November is an excellent hack when visiting Italy.
But what about these particular locations?
Cinque Terre: September to November
Cinque Terre has the advantage of being extra of a climbing and sightseeing vacation spot than a seashore day and swimming vacation spot, merely because it has barely any actual seashores. This means it’s ideally suited to a shoulder season go to, the place temperatures are nonetheless heat sufficient to take pleasure in al fresco eating and nice sightseeing with out crowds. For this motive, September to early November are one of the best months to go to Cinque Terre. We vote October as the final word month, because the high-season crowds are passed by then. You’ll have spectacular views and lots of climbing potentialities, and also you received’t be battling crowds to understand them.
Amalfi Coast: June or September
With the Amalfi Coast, you’ll possible spend a lot of time on a sandy seashore. For this motive, it’s value chopping your shoulder season wonderful to ensure heat climate and a heat sea for swimming. For occasion, visiting in early June, you’ll nonetheless narrowly keep away from the first excessive season, but you’ll get the heat and nice seashore day vibe. September is one other good choice. If you care about warmth and swimming, the Amalfi Coast is value visiting as near the excessive season as attainable to maximise the climate.
Costs in Cinque Terre vs the Amalfi Coast
Budget is at all times important to think about, and realizing what you might be moving into cost-wise earlier than you arrive is useful. Cinque Terre and the area surrounding the Amalfi Coast are main locations when visiting Italy, so know that lodging will get costly and e book out shortly. With that in thoughts, although, let’s take into account how price can affect your selection between the Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast.
Cinque Terre Costs
Both areas can get costly, however Cinque Terre is the higher choice when you’ve got a decrease price range. Cinque Terre doesn’t have the identical superstar fame because the Amalfi Coast, and it isn’t constructed based mostly on luxurious resorts and eating places. Instead, Cinque Terre constructed its fame off of being (initially) an off-the-beaten-track location. Because luxurious isn’t a part of the area’s identification, it doesn’t appeal to the identical costs. It is less expensive as a complete to go to.
That stated, Cinque Terre has restricted sources, which suggests costs can get aggressive. Its cities are solely small. And because the area has develop into more and more standard, there have develop into extra vacationers than lodging in peak seasons, and eating places have additionally clocked on. Book in advance and keep away from peak season journey if you’re actually budget-conscious.
Amalfi Coast Costs
Generally talking, the Amalfi Coast is the costliest of the 2 areas. It has a historical past of being a luxurious vacation spot and, as such, it has the lodging and fancy eating places to match. You’ll discover a lot of 5-star accommodations and fine-dining eating places with lovely views.
The Amalfi Coast additionally has a caveat, although, which is that you would be able to nonetheless go to on a price range. The identical rule applies: e book in advance, letting you snag one of the best offers. You also needs to get lodging with self-catering services. You can benefit from grocery purchasing and lower prices with a kitchen.
Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast: FAQs
Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast is a query that passes many lips. Whether you street journey throughout Italy to go to Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast or a day journey to or e book a brief keep in only one, you’ll have a beautiful time. Both areas are beautiful. As a fast remaining level earlier than you go, although, take a look at these FAQs.
Which is best, Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast?
Both Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast supply completely totally different vibes. The Amalfi Coast is far more luxurious, with extra space and seashores. At the identical time, the Cinque Terre is a bit more quirky, with a desolate attract and rugged aesthetic. We’d advocate Cinque Terre for an adventurous vacation and the Amalfi Coast for an opulent one.
Is Cinque Terre costlier than Amalfi Coast?
No, Cinque Terre is a bit of cheaper than the Amalfi Coast, as long as you e book to buy essentially the most fairly priced rooms earlier than they promote out (lodging choices are far more restricted). While each Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast are comparatively costly, Cinque Terre is understood to be barely extra budget-friendly with satisfactory planning.
Which coast of Italy is best?
The Amalfi Coast is gorgeous, lined with wealthy inexperienced area, because of volcanic soils and delightful seashores. It is straightforward to entry by way of automobile and has beautiful clifftop roads overlooking the ocean. The northwest coast – alongside Cinque Terre – is far more rugged, with fewer seashores and extra dramatically perched villages with rocky harbors. If you need seashores, go to Amalfi Coast cities. If you need dramatic surroundings, Cinque Terre villages shortly take the biscuit.
What is the prettiest city in the Amalfi?
Ravello wins this title. The resort city is dwelling to the Terrace of Infinity, which you’ll be able to go to on the Villa Cimbrone. It additionally has spectacular structure and extra surroundings from its terraced gardens.
So, the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, which can you select? Both locations supply an actual sense of genuine tradition and uniqueness in Italy. The Amalfi Coast has its luxurious character with luxe accommodations and resorts and, in fact, freshly squeezed lemon juice on scenic clifftop laybys. Cinque Terre has a extra rugged attraction, with romantically desolate cities seemingly perched on jagged ocean cliffs. By now, you’ll know which one most closely fits your journey fashion and upcoming journey to Italy. But maybe the true query is, are you able to squeeze in each?
For extra concepts, in the event you select to go to the Amalfi Coast, take a look at this information on the prettiest and greatest Amalfi Coast cities to go to in 2023. While, for Cinque Terre, see this information on the place to remain – which features a rundown of the 5 villages and past.